Millimetre waves, lasers, acoustics for non-lethal weapons? Physics analyses and inferences

"New technologies of non-lethal weapons (NLW) are under military research and development, mainly in the USA. Due to incomplete information, judgement under criteria of the laws of warfare or of human rights is hampered. This study analyses four potential NLW technologies which are based on physics to provide reliable information for such assessment." (excerpt)"Neue Techniken nicht-tödlicher Waffen (ntW) sind in militärischer Forschung und Entwicklung, vor allem in den USA. Durch unvollständige Information wird die Beurteilung unter Kriterien des Humanitären Völkerrechts oder der Menschenrechte behindert. Diese Studie analysiert vier mögliche ntW-Techniken, die auf physikalischer Grundlage beruhen, um verlässliche Information für eine solche Beurteilung zur Verfügung zu stellen." (Textauszug

Individual response to three types of nonlethal weapons

This study investigates behavioral reactions to three types of nonlethal weapons (NLWs) used by the U.S. military. We provided participants with simulated situations involving military use of NLWs, and asked them to predict how they would react. We found variations in response according to weapon type. In general, individuals were unlikely to aggress or disperse, although these reactions were mediated by demographic factors. It may be important for Army officials to know the behavioral effects of NLWs in order to use them effectively

Integration of a Bayesian network for response planning in a maritime piracy risk management system

International audienceThis article describes an innovative system to protect offshore oil infrastructure against maritime piracy. To detect and respond efficiently to this threat, many factors must be taken into account, including the potential target, the protection methods already in place and operational and environmental constraints, etc. To improve the handling of this complex issue, we have designed a system to manage the entire processing chain; from threat identification to implementation of the response. The system implements Bayesian networks in order to capture the multitude of parameters and their inherent uncertainties, and to identify and manage potential responses. This article describes the system architecture, the integrated Bayesian network and its contribution to response planning

L’arme non létale dans la stratégie militaire des Etats-Unis : imaginaire stratégique et genèse de l’armement

Cette analyse a pour but de dégager les attenants du processus de légitimation dont le concept de non-létalité a fait l’objet au sein du débat stratégique américain depuis le début des années 1990. La mise en service expérimentale en 2006 en Irak, dans le contexte de la gestion post-conflit, de systèmes non létaux à énergie dirigée, destinés au contrôle des foules et à la protection des postes de garde rappelle l’actualité cruciale du phénomène. Présentées comme potentiellement révolutionnaires, ces armes « non létales » de nouvelle génération, aujourd’hui requalifiées dans la doctrine militaire comme « armes à létalité réduite », représentent sans aucun doute une mutation épistémologique majeure dans l’histoire de la conception et de la production de l’armement. Cet article vise à analyser la portée réelle et les faux-semblants de cette supposée rupture stratégique et tactique. Il ne sera pas fait ici état, sinon de manière marginale, des enjeux juridiques liés à la non-létalité.This article focuses on the process of legitimization of the concept of non-lethality that has developed in the US strategic debate since the 1990’s. The experimental use in 2006 in Iraq, in the contexte of the management of the post-conflict phase, of energy directed non-lethal weapons systems, in order to contribute to crowd control and the protection of checkpoints, shows the topicality of the phenomenon. Presented as potentially revolutionnary, these new generation of “non-lethal” weapons, currently dubbed “less than lethal”, undoubtely represents a major epistemic shift in the history of the conception and production of weapons systems. This article aims at analyzing the actual reach and pretences of this supposed strategic and tactical breakthrough. The legal aspects of non-lethality will not be considered here

Bradford Non-Lethal Weapons Research Project (BNLWRP). Research Report No. 7.

yesThe length of this Bradford Non-Lethal Weapons Research Project Report No.7 again reflects the interest related to non-lethal weapons from academics, research institutes, policy makers, the police and the military. A number of reports, particularly concerning the Taser electro-shock weapon, have been published from these sectors since our last BNLWRP Report No.6 in October 2004. Some, such as the Amnesty International (U.S. and Canada) have again raised, and stressed, the concerns about the safety of the weapon and the number of deaths associated with its use. Others, such as the Joint Non-Lethal Weapons Human Effects Center of Excellence (HECOE), Human Effectiveness and Risk Characterization of the Electromuscular Incapacitation Device ¿ A Limited Analysis of the TASER. (March 2005) concluded that the Taser was relatively safe, but that further research was needed into potential bio-effects, and for continual development into a safer weapon. Reaction to these reports was mixed. Some US legislators called for limitations on the use of Tasers, more accountability, and the detailed recording of incidents in which they were used.1 Others called for a ban on their use until more testing was carried out regarding their potentially harmful effects. A number of US police forces stopped the use of Taser, slowed down the deployment and ordering of the weapons, reviewed their rules of engagement and reporting, and revisited their operational guidelines. The International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) published the Electro- Muscular Disruption Technology (EMDT). A Nine-Step Strategy For Effective Deployment. (April 2005) as a response to these growing concerns. Certain elements of the media, especially The Arizona Republic2 and others, took a hostile view of what they considered the scandal of the number of deaths and associated serious injuries caused by the Taser. Taser International challenged allegations that their weapon was directly responsible for these deaths and quoted reports, such as the Madison Police Department report (February 2005), the study by McDaniel, W & Stratbucker, R & Nerheim, M & Brewer, J. Cardiac Safety of Neuromuscular Incapacitating Defensive Devices (January 2005), and the U.K. DOMILL Statement (March 2005) to support their view. The controversy continues. Other than Tasers, there are still few reports of the newer non-lethal technologies actually being deployed in operations. The exception to this is the Long Range Acoustic Device (LRAD), which is now in widespread use in Iraq. Little additional information has appeared regarding the `active denial¿ weapon we have described in previous reports

Limited rigor in studies of raptor mortality and mitigation at wind power facilities

Wind power is an expanding source of renewable energy. However, there are ecological challenges related to wind energy generation, including collisions of wildlife with turbines. Lack of rigor, and variation in study design, together limit efforts to understand the broad-scale effects of wind power infrastructure on wildlife populations. It is not clear, however, whether these types of limitations apply to groups of birds such as raptors that are particularly vulnerable to negative effects of wind energy. We reviewed 672 peer-reviewed publications, unpublished reports, and citations from 321 wind facilities in 12 countries to evaluate methods used to monitor and mitigate for wind facility impacts on raptors. Most reports that included raptor monitoring (86 %, n = 461) only conducted post-construction monitoring for raptor fatalities, while few (12 %; n = 65) estimated preconstruction raptor use. Only 27 % of facilities (n = 62) provided estimates of fatalities or raptor use across multiple construction phases, and the percentage of facilities with data available from multiple construction periods has not changed over time. A formal experimental study design was incorporated into surveys at only 29 % of facilities. Finally, mitigation practices to reduce impacts on raptors were only reported at 23 % of facilities. Our results suggest that rigorous data collection on wind energy impacts to raptors is rare, and that mitigation of detrimental effects is seldom reported. Expanding the use of rigorous research approaches and increasing data availability would improve understanding of the regional and global effects of wind energy on raptor populations